1871 Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 18.20s

Sainte Ladylime²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

5/1

Won a 3m novice chase at Uttoxeter in November (good to soft) but unseated last time. Reverts to hurdles on a potentially fair mark and goes well in the mud but tends to be prone to jumping errors.

Form: 2FU4-1U

Ellens Way⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 117

1/1

Signed off last season with a novice win at Warwick and, following a couple of underwhelming efforts initially this term, she stepped up to win resoundingly at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day. Potentially 'well in' under a 7lb penalty.

Form: 571-671

Tambura³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: G C Maundrell| OR: 117| D

7/2

Three times a winner over hurdles from 24 attempts, all at around this trip on soft ground, and has scored off a higher mark in the past. Showed enough when fourth at Plumpton recently to suggest she's a threat here.

Form: 265P-44

Daisy De Sivola¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 115

9/1

A winner over hurdles in France but largely unconvincing since arriving in Britain, though recent return from a lengthy absence at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) wasn't devoid of encouragement. Interesting to see how she fares over a longer trip.

Form: 6527-P7

Braventara²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 115

8/1

Easy winner of a three-runner 3m2f Warwick novices' hurdle last season but hasn't kicked on from that, falling when beaten in her two final starts last term. Reappears for an in-form new yard on a potentially handy mark.

Form: 6/317FF-

Fille Des Champs^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105

12/1

Gained her only win so far on heavy ground over 2m4f at Ffos Las just over a year ago but looked in need of the run when well-held at Chestow last month. Remains vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 1434-25

Passing Fiesta^v1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 65

100/1

Just a lone win to her name at Ffos Las almost three years ago and has regressed markedly since, showing next to nothing over fences before finishing last of five on her return to hurdles at Bangor recently. Readily overlooked.

Form: F8-PPP5

Forecasts

Ellens Way (1/1), Tambura (7/2), Sainte Ladylime (5/1), Braventara (8/1), Daisy De Sivola (9/1), Fille Des Champs (12/1), Passing Fiesta (100/1)

Ellens Way proved a revelation when winning emphatically in the mud at Fontwell on Boxing Day and holds obvious claims under just a 7lb penalty considering she is due to go up more than that in the future. That said, there is always a chance this race could come too soon and it may pay to take her on at cramped odds with TAMBURA a looking viable alternative having hinted at a return to winning ways at Plumpton recently. Braventara is also interesting on her handicap/seasonal debut for an in-form new yard.